AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Texas House has approved a preliminary measure that would punish principals and superintendents who fail to report improper student-teacher relationships.
Under Senate Bill 7, these high-level school administrators would face a felony jail sentence or a fine of up to $10,000.
Representative Ken King (R-Hemphill) sponsored the bill and said it is necessary to protect Texas students.
Rena Honea of Alliance AFT United Teachers Political Action Committee said the bill walks a slippery slope.
“Right now it just says that they could potentially go to jail or prison if they knew about it. Well, you have to be sure they actually knew and they have to have proof of that. We don’t want unintended consequences,” she said.
Honea said although the bill needs some reworking, it sheds light on an issue that needs to be addressed.
“Make no mistake about it, this is absolutely inexcusable behavior on the part of educators that should not be condoned in anyway, ” he said.
The bill still has to pass the House before it makes its way to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.
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